Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.

The basic teaching of Buddhism is the teaching of transiency, or change.

Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced state of mind.

The path to liberation requires both understanding and practice, both pariyatti and patipatti.

The stages of insight unfold naturally when mindfulness is continuous. There is no need to desire them or try to make them happen.

All experiences are preceded by mind, having mind as their master, created by mind.

Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law.

The great gift of meditation is that it returns us to the simplicity of our own being.

The Buddha's teaching is not a philosophical system but a practical guide to living.

All worldly pursuits have but one unavoidable and inevitable end, which is sorrow; acquisitions end in dispersion; buildings in destruction; meetings in separation; births in death.

Intrinsically all living beings are Buddhas, just as ice and water are of the same substance.

Mindfulness is attention to life, and life itself is sacred.

When we develop patience, we find that we develop a reserve of calm and tranquility.

The way to overcome anger is to be too busy being kind to have time to be angry.

The path to liberation requires both individual effort and the support of the spiritual community.

You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.

The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.

The grass is greener where you water it.

The mind is the source of all happiness and the source of all suffering.

The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

The development of insight is gradual, but the realization of truth is sudden.

The past is gone, the future is not yet here. Live in the present moment with awareness.

As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.

Our own life has to be our message.

When the mind is ready to understand, the truth will come to meet it.

The silence between the notes is as important as the notes themselves.

Enlightenment is not a state of perfection but of authenticity.

Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind.

The practice of meditation is like learning to play an instrument - it takes patience, regular practice, and a gentle touch.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.